subject: A College Education Within Reach: Obama Scholarships [print this page] A College Education Within Reach: Obama Scholarships
If you want to be successful, getting a good education is a good start. President Obama is a good example, and he has shown his commitment to helping others. Free money through grants and scholarships is only the beginning. College expenses continue to increase even as the economy slumps. Scholarship packages rarely cover the full amount for tuition, books and housing. With high costs looming, many young adults can't afford to go to a university. Single, working moms are a big section of this group. More education helps single mothers achieve on their jobs and take care of their families. The President has attempted to help by encouraging more grants for single mothers to attend school. Because of his efforts many people now refer to Federal Pell Grants as Obama grants. To help with university costs, a student can earn more than $5,000. The primary goal is to encourage single moms to return to school, and by 2012 they could receive as much as $5,400. These grants can be used to cover many of the miscellaneous college expenses. Another worthwhile program is the American Opportunity Tax Credit. Under this incentive program, education costs up to $4,000 are cleared. At less expensive schools in particular this is a big credit. A grant and a tax break could be just the thing to help students like working single moms. Study options are wide open. Now the expenses are just a little lighter, and eager mothers can enroll in school. With his actions President Obama has confirmed his belief in this issue. The stimulus plan that passed has some provisions to make the college loan process easier. In addition, the government is focusing on helping schools improve teaching and students improve performance. Since many overlook community colleges, there is emphasis on increasing their effectiveness and appeal. At a community college students can gain important knowledge as well as save money. In a 2007 speech called Reclaiming the American Dream, the President said that making college education more available is "the best investment we can make in our future." The President has shown a good effort to support his words through action. Grants for moms are just a small but vital part of the education mission. Traditional and non-traditional students alike have numerous opportunities to put their education first.
